21 Day Challenge ~ Day 21 – WE DID IT!!

Final Meal Plan

Breakfast : I’m having my favorite!  Zuchini Cakes.  Who knew?

http://paleobreakfasts.com/paleo-breakfast-zucchini-pancakes/

Lunch : Chicken with Creamy Sundried Tomato Sauce!  YUM

http://paleodietlifestyle.com/chicken-sun-dried-tomato-sauce/

Dinner : I’m finishing this challenge how I started!  Tri Tip Baby!

Throw a Primal Party!

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/grok-throws-a-party/#axzz1jM32bIqc

Debt Awareness Tip/Task of the Day

Debt Reduction Calculator.  This is an awesome website provided by CNN.

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/debtplanner/debtplanner.jsp

If you are not in debt?  Go to http://www.forbes.com or subscribe to it.  It has amazing investment info and my husband relies on it heavily.  I was surprised to see how entertaining the writing is.

DeClutter Tip/Task of the Day

Well here you are.  The last day.  We are so darn proud of you!  Are you?  Your final mission today should you accept it, is to dump your purse out.  I mean it.  Now slowly and methodically  go through and organize everything as you put it back together.  Yes those ticket stubs from that trip to New York when you saw Cats?  Buh Bye.

Don’t have a purse?  Man bag?  Dump out your gym bag.

Still have more energy?  Consider volunteering.  We reap what we sow and anytime we have volunteered it has brought amazing things to our lives.  Here are some ideas :

*Call bingo at a local nursing home

*Rock babies at the Children’s Hospital

*Go to Feed My Starving Children and find a time to go.
Only You Yoga sponsors a monthly event at the Coon Rapids location.  The next one will be in Monday January 30th!  Join us, bring the kids, they LOVE being a part of something so amazing and it brings friends and family bonding in a whole new way.

Insist on yourself. Never imitate.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 20 – Dave Ramsey

Daily Meal Plan

Breakfast : I’m finishing off my last 2 days how I started, with omelets.  Swiss, tomato, spinach with a side of steamed brocolli…

Lunch : Oh I cannot wait for these…

http://paleodietlifestyle.com/egg-pesto-stuffed-tomatoes/

Dinner : Beef Stew?  I’m game.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/beef-stew-and-chicken-soup-in-35-minutes-or-less/#axzz1jM32bIqc

How to change my gym class.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-i-would-change-gym-class/#axzz1jM32bIqc

Debt Awareness Tip/Task of the Day

Here are all of Dave Ramsey’s books.  Believe it or not I found all of them at my local library!  Get online and reserve them now!

http://www.daveramsey.com/store/Books/dave-s-bestsellers/cBOOKS-cDaveBooks-p1.html

DeClutter Tip/Task of the Day

Ok another closet time.  Make a run through (I have heard from many of you that you have already done this) and take out everything you have not worn in a year, anything ripped or torn, anything NOT from this decade.  Take everything off the shelves.  Get rid of old purses, belts and hats.  Did you do this already?  Then start on somebody ELSE’S CLOSET!

Believe with all of your heart that you will do what you were made to do.
~ Orison Swett Marden

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 19 – 3! 2! 1!

Ok, we are looking for our NEXT challenge. 

We want your ideas for diet, fitness and other things that may challenge you in 2012.  We are off to a great start this year and I think it is going to be a fantastic year.  Big changes are afoot!  We plan on doing another one in March/April to get ready for the summer months.

So if you have any ideas please contact us
via email or on Facebook or Twitter!

Daily Meal Plan

Breakfast : Smoothies!

http://paleobreakfasts.com/paleo-breakfast-simple-recipe-for-smoothies/

Lunch : Fish Cakes.  Again?  I had some leftovers…

http://paleodietlifestyle.com/fish-cakes/

Dinner : This looks fantastic.  Cannot wait to try it.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/heirloom-tomato-salad-and-steak-with-peppercorns-and-purple-basil/#axzz1jM32bIqc

Let’s Dish!

One of the things I have found so hard with this Paleo thing is having to have so much fresh stuff around.  I mean I had chopped veggies and meat, chicken etc.  But is there an easier way to have more food on hand?  I’m a snacker, I eat a lot of little meals so this was hard for me.  Did any of you find a better way to do this?

Debt Awareness Tip/Task of the Day

The truth about debt consolidation?  Read on…

http://www.daveramsey.com/article/the-truth-about-debt-consolidation/lifeandmoney_debt/

DeClutter Tip/Task of the Day

Do you have a bar in your home?  A cupboard full of booze?  Wine? Well it is time to marry the bottles that can be and toss the ones that have fermented.  Yes, yes that bottle of Banana Liquer from your foray into Bananas Foster for a new boyfriend in ’92 must go.  Dust off those you keep and with the extra space you can put your blender there.

Don’t have a bar?  Bad news.  YOU get to clean out your refridgerator door/doors.  Take it all out.  Wipe it down.  Get rid of the sauces you never use/used.  I know, I know it is hard.  Our fridge died last summer?  28 BOTTLES OF VARIOUS SAUCES.  Beat that…

The best way out is always through.
~ Robert Frost

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 18 – $$ and Relationships

Daily Meal Plan

Breakfast : This was easy and delish!

http://paleobreakfasts.com/paleo-apple-crisp/

Lunch : I have turkey burgers left over so I am having another one or two of those in butter lettuce.

Dinner : Butter Chicken?  I think I posted this one already but I don’t care it was so freakin good!

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/butter-chicken-in-a-silky-sauce/#axzz1jLlrWv2z

Thinking of staying Primal?  No?  Read these amazing stories, it just might change your mind

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/category/success-story-summaries/#axzz1jLlrWv2z

Debt Awareness Tip/Task of the Day

Here are some good articles on finances and relationships!  Things to think about

http://www.daveramsey.com/articles/content-center/category/lifeandmoney_relationshipsandmoney/

DeClutter Tip/Task of the Day

Most kids drawers are a mess, but we do want them to dress themselves.  Try the jelly roll trick from the linen closet on their drawers.  Then they can see what they have clean and it’s easier than folding.  Here is what I got from my kid “Mom, folding is hard”.  My response was “I know honey, your clothes will be in the dryer till you need them OR you can help me jelly roll!”

Don’t have kids?  Go to your laundry room/area and pick it up.  The change, the paper clips, the ticket stubs and tiny pieces of paper.  Toss it all!  Sweep or vaccum.  Wipe down your appliances there and finally, put a tupperware thing (from your clean tupperware cupboard) in your laundry room for all this type of stuff in the future.  That way you just have that little stuff in one spot and can empty it every so often…

The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can. ~ Robert Cushing

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 17 – Holding On?

I have no idea WHY highschool is so hard and sticks with us for so long.  But for some it just does.  There was not a messy situation I avoided in those days.  I made so many mistakes I lost count.  But at almost 50 years old.  Here is what I know to be true: 1. Nobody cares anymore 2. You are perfect because of your mistakes 3. Every rotten thing you did or happened to you served to bring you to the amazing person you are today. *Are there areas of your life “cluttering” up your now?  Do WHATEVER it takes to get rid of them in these last 5 days.  Call a therapist, apologize (especially to yourself ~ that is why they are called mistakes) and get right with YOUR higher power.  Life is meant to be lived, not regretted. P.S. I had a GREAT therapist if anyone wants the number email me ~ Julia  - Julia@onlyyouyoga.com

Daily Meal Plan

Breakfast : Ok Jessica and I had a meeting yesterday at Perkins and we had omelets (I copied her order ~ thanks J) with spinach, pepper jack, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions.  Steamed brocolli on the side.  IT was SO good.

Lunch : Turkey Burger on a lettuce wrap (I feel like I neglected turkey on this thing ~ you may see more of it this week

Dinner : Buffalo Chicken Wings and steamed Cauliflower

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/spicy-buffalo-chicken/#axzz1jLlrWv2z

Your Inbox :

What pops into your inbox everyday?  A few years ago I had so much garbage coming in every day that I spent about two hours unsubscribing everything that was junk.  It was worth it.  Then I sought out 3-4 websites that delivered beauty and wisdom to me each day or a few times a week.  Our inbox is such a huge part of our lives now, as are our social pages.  Be sure to “decorate” them with beauty and wisdom too.  Like I like to say at work “garbage in, garbage out” ~ Keep the stuff coming into your head beautiful and what comes out of your mouth will improve too

Here’s a few of ours :

http://meditation.org.au/

http://www.maryhayesgrieco.com/

http://www.hungry-girl.com/

Debt Awareness Tip/Task of the Day

I may have put this in before but even so it bears repeating!  Here is the link to Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps :

http://www.daveramsey.com/new/baby-steps/

DeClutter Tip/Task of the Day

Don’t hate us.  Go sink diving today.  Under the kitchen sink, the bathrooms sinks.  Get rid of old cleaners, old makeup, old sponges.  Marry all of the bottles, make a list of all the things you are out of. Then when you go to replace them, pick up a couple of plastic bins to neatly store things in when you put them back.  Happy diving!

Reputation is what men and women think of us;
character is what God and angels know of us.
~ Thomas Paine

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 16 – CrossFit?

Daily Meal Plan

Breakfast : I’m going back to omelets.  Eggs, mushrooms, peppers and spinach.  Why yes a smidge of swiss cheese.  Just a smidge though.

Lunch :http://paleodietlifestyle.com/garlic-parsley-deviled-eggs/

Dinner :http://www.foodrenegade.com/clam-chowder-with-bacon-and-green-chiles/  ~ This website is so cool.  Check it out!

Snack List (From Mark Sisson) :

Hard boiled eggs, Dark Chocolate (highest cocoa content), canned tuna, herring, sardines, Jerky (homemade or minimally processed), Macadamia nuts, Olives, Veggies…

CrossFit?

http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/what-crossfit.html

Debt Awareness Tip/Task of the Day

The key to getting completely out of debt is to follow these steps:

1. Decide on your goal & write it down
2. Compare your options for reaching that goal
3. Write down the exact steps you will take each day, week, and month
4. Keep track of your progress & reward yourself every once in a while
5. Stay focused until you reach your goal – even when you are ready to give up! 
   *From Debt-tips.com

DeClutter Tip/Task of the Day

Clean out your front AND back hall closets.  Again, if you haven’t worn it in a year?  Out it goes.  Donate any coats, hats, mittens that you don’t wear or no longer fit anyone – boots go too.  Winter is a good time to do this because so many people need them.  Have paper/plastic bag ready to use.  I keep a large bin for all the hats, scarves and mittens.  Then in the spring it’s ready to be tucked away.

Oh and bring the vaccum/broom and dustpan with you

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen”
~ Winston Churchill

 

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 15 – Stress Less

Daily Meal Plan

Breakfast :http://paleobreakfasts.com/paleo-breakfast-sweet-potato-bacon-and-egg-salad/

Lunch :http://paleodietlifestyle.com/eggplant-mushroom-curry/

Dinner :http://www.marksdailyapple.com/herb-roasted-leg-of-lamb/#axzz1j249WU54

15 Ways to Fight Stress
(Thank you Mr Sisson

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/15-ways-to-fight-stress/#axzz1j249WU54

Debt Awareness Tip/Task of the Day

This is a really cool blog I found with some fantastic tips for STAYING out of debt and for building or rebuilding your financial future.  Read on!

http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/08/18/developing-strategies-to-remain-debt-free-strategy-1-in-the-series/

DeClutter Tip/Task of the Day

Well it’s time.  Go to your spice cupboard right now and get rid of anything that is over 2 years old (I actually had things that were 7-8 years old gross!).  My husband makes a list for each recipe and buys everything on the list.  So if we already had, say 6 bottles of cumin?  We now have 7.  I bought some risers (sp?) so we can now SEE what we have.  Not that he looks….

“Always do what you are afraid to do”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 14 – Essential Movements

Daily Meal Plan

Breakfast :http://paleobreakfasts.com/coconut-pancakes/

Lunch :http://paleodietlifestyle.com/mushroom-salad/

Dinner :http://paleodietlifestyle.com/cinnamon-chicken/

Going Primal’s

Essential Movements 

(there is a free Ebook atwww.Marksdailyapple.com)

These mastery levels represent one set of maximum effort. Always consult a physician before starting any new physical fitness program.  This is a GUIDELINE ~ and something to shoot for

Men:
50 Pushups
12 Pullups
50 Squats (thighs parallel to ground)
Forearm Plank (2 minutes)

Women:
20 Pushups
5 Pullups
50 Squats (thighs parallel to ground)
Forearm Plank (2 minutes)

Debt Awareness Tip/Task of the Day

Many people use credit cards to buy items that they otherwise couldn’t afford. And when they can’t pay off the charge, charges pile up and debt gets out of control. Reversing debt problems caused by the overuse of credit cards starts with putting plastic away and relying on cash only to make purchases. Because you’re not using credit to buy now, you’ll have to plan purchases and save money. Not only does this strategy help with reducing debt, but you’ll get practice in how to budget and control impulse spending.

Read more:
Strategies for Decreasing Debt | eHow.com

DeClutter Tip/Task of the Day

Recon Saturday!  After a good nights sleep.  Start at the top and go to the bottom of your house and get rid of anything you no longer need or use.  Clothes, books, cds, knickknacks, toys, equipment.  Basically anything you have not used or looked at for over a year.  Try standing on a chair in each room to get a new perspective.  Not finding much?

Good for you, but you ALSO get to stage a “COUNTER” Revolution.  Go into your kitchen and unless you are Martha Stewart, get the mixer, the blender and everything OFF the counter and store it in a cupboard or drawer.  We bought a new set of shelves for the garage for things we use only a few times a year.  Crockpot, blender, mixer etc…

One who fears failure limits his activities.
Failure is only the opportunity to more
intelligently begin again. ~ Henry Ford

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 13 – 80 % Rule

The 80% Rule : Navigating all this can be intimidating.  Mark Sisson says stick with the 80% Rule.  The essence of this is to do the best you can 80% of the time to stay aligned with healthy living, eating at the highest end of the spectrum but not to stress out about perfection.  Trying to be perfect is probably what got us to our bad habits in the first place.  What I know to be true is the more we accept our human short comings the more I am able to overcome them.  Hang in there, after today, just ONE WEEK LEFT!!!

Daily Meal Plan

Breakfast :http://paleobreakfasts.com/broccoli-frittata/

Lunch :http://paleodietlifestyle.com/egg-drop-soup/

Dinner :http://paleodietlifestyle.com/slow-cooked-pork-roast/

Today’s Recipe
(Thank you Mr Sisson!)
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/fajita-frittata-with-avocado-salsa/#more-25911

Fruit Anyone?
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/best-fruit-choices/#axzz1j1sRfobv

Debt Awareness Tip/Task of the Day

Search for cheaper utilities to get better personal finance. If you have had the same gas company, cell phone plan, or other utility for a while then shop around for a better deal. Many companies will gladly offer you better prices just to have you become their customer. This will definitely put more money in your pocket.

DeClutter Tip/Task of the Day

Don’t hate us.  Go right now to the “tupperware” cupboard.  You know you have one, open it and just let it all fall out instead of looking like a hockey goalie.  Now get rid of everything that : has no top, no bottom, is stained, melted or just plain gross.  My husband swears that I set ours up to just cascade out when he opens it.  Hee Hee

 

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight
~ Benjamin Franklin

21 Day Challenge ~ Day 12 – Spend As Little As Possible

Daily Meal Plan

Breakfast : I’m having a fruit withdrawel.  So I’m having a banana and some grapes.

Lunch : I made some yummy dill egg salad and am wrapping it in butter lettuce (but whatever lettuce is fine)

Dinner : Making vinegar and salt chicken wings and I’m going to eat my weight in them, but very easy on the salt.  Also steaming some cauliflower and adding a little butter on that.

Daily Recipe ~ Paleo Meatloaf?  Why thank you, yes I will..

http://paleodietlifestyle.com/paleo-meat-loaf/

Co Co Nuts :

“Purchase an arsenal of coconut products and prepare coconut based foods.  Coconut flour is an excellent substitution for flour.  Coconut milk is a good replacement for regular milk.  It’s great to pour on berries, add into a smoothie or whip into cream.  Coconut flakes add flavor.  All can be found at a decent health food store or ethnic food department at a quality supermarket”

Debt Awareness Tip/Task of the Day

Given the chance, we will all spend more than we make.  Why not try to see how LITTLE we can spend till the end of the challenge?

Start by leaving your wallet AT home.  I have a little business card case (my friend Susie gave me this idea) that I just keep my ID and Insurance cards in.  That way I won’t be “tempted” to stop by Cub or Target.  I have a love/hate relationship with both of those stores

DeClutter Tip/Task of the Day

Go to your home office desk (wherever you do all of THAT stuff) and clean out THAT junk drawer.  Then clean off and go through the top of said desk or counter.  Get another drawer organizer for pens/pencils, paper clips etc.  Anything with dog hair on it goes.  (do you get the idea that my drawers are hairy? they are..pack dogs shed like the dickens).  Yes that includes your old World Perks card from 1987.  Order a new one, or better yet find the latest one.

Side note:  75% of people NEVER use their miles.  C’mon people that’s free money.  We get a free trip about every 3 years.  If you need help finding out where your account stands?  Just call them.  They are awesome about pulling all your accounts together

Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.
Chinese Proverb